DON’T BREATHE ~ Rated R
Starring Stephen Lang, Jane Levy, Dylan Minette and Daniel Zovatoo
Director Fede Alvarez brings a horrifying tale of craziness and terror to the big screen, as three youngsters embark on robbing a blind veteran, thinking it will be a walk in the park, but it turns out being anything but…this is DON’T BREATHE!
Pulling off small robberies here or there to raise a few bucks for FUN MONEY and to distract these teenagers from their mundane lives, we meet Money (Daniel Zovatoo), Rocky (Jane Levy) and Alex (Dylan Minnette). Alex’s father luckily works for a security company, and he has just acquired the key’s of one of his father’s newest clients, a blind army vet (Stephen Lang) living in a mansion, and who has apparently come into a bundle of cash, after the untimely death of his daughter.
Thinking this is going to be the easiest robbery ever, Money, Rocky and Alex make their way into this man’s home, but find out very quickly, being blind is no issue for this crazy man, determined to finish all of his intruders off, no matter what it takes…

I give DON’T BREATHE a rating of MUST SEE ON THE BIG SCREEN ~ We have discussed many times before that HORROR films are not usually my genre of choice to view. But, I’m glad I decided to bite the bullet and go check out DON’T BREATHE, as this film is a masterpiece filled with on the edge of your seat suspense, rather than 2 hours of nothing but blood, guts and gore. From the very first frame to the last, you are engrossed in what will happen to these 3 foolish teenagers, as they definitely picked the wrong house to heist. Plus, there are scenes throughout that are so demented, yet so intriguing; you literally can’t take your eyes off the screen. Alvarez did a fabulous job of getting a lot from his actors, while managing to get some awesome and unexpected cinematography at the same time. Leaving me to suggest that even if you don’t usually enjoy HORROR films like me, you still have to check out DON’T BREATHE, because it will have you doing just that, as you go from one suspense filled moment to the next…
Kathy Kaiser

HANDS OF STONE ~ Rated R
Starring Edgar Ramirez, Robert DeNiro and Usher Raymond IV
Based on the real-life story of legendary boxer Roberto Duran, we venture from Panama to the US to see if he really can become WORLD CHAMPION…this is HANDS OF STONE!
Born into a life of poverty and despair, we meet young Roberto Duran (David Arosemena), stealing to feed his family, and learning to fight on the streets of Panama.
Proving in his own right at a young age that boxing is in his blood, Roberto Duran (Edgar Ramirez) and his trainer secure the backing they need from local businessman, Carlos Eleta (Ruben Blades), who starts him on his way…
When Eleta realizes how gifted Duran really is, he secures him a new trainer, America’s master of boxing Ray Arcel (Robert DeNiro), who takes him under his wing, and teaches Roberto everything he knows about the sport.
Back in the states and taking on American boxing star Sugar Ray Leonard (Usher Raymond IV), Duran must find every ounce of finesse he can muster up, if he is to take on this flashy, quick footed “ballerina” to become boxing’s Champion of the World.

I give HANDS OF STONE a rating of MUST SEE ON THE BIG SCREEN BUT AT A LESS EXPENSIVE MATINEE~ Okay, you are just as surprised as I was, that I am giving this film this high rating. I was going in thinking “Not another boxing movie, please!” but I came out saying, “That was way better than I ever expected!” Ramirez is phenomenal as Duran, from his smooth moves both in the ring, and out. DeNiro is good too, not RAGING BULL good, but we are going to give him a break, he’s a few years older and playing the manager this time around ;) And Usher surprised me as well with his performance, portraying the legendary boxer Sugar Ray Leonard – as he came across very convincing with his portrayal, even mastering Leonard’s fancy footwork. All in all, I think if you love boxing, or DeNiro, or just want to see Ramirez and Usher duke it out, you should go check out HANDS OF STONE. This film is full of dimension and heart, that expands way beyond Duran’s stints in the ring…
Kathy Kaiser

HELL OR HIGH WATER – Rated R
Starring Chris Pine, Jeff Bridges and Ben Foster
When left in a desperate situation to save his family’s farm, one divorced father and his jail-bird brother turn to bank robbing as their only choice to make thing’s right in their world ~ This is HELL OR HIGH WATER!
Divorced, yet trying to provide for his ex-wife and sons the best way he knows how, Toby Howard (Chris Pine) hatches a plan with his brother, ex-con Tanner Howard (Ben Foster), to save his family farm, after the death of his poor sweet mama.
With the bank breathing down their necks, wanting to foreclose on their homestead, Toby and Tanner decide the best way to stop the bank, and save their families home, is to acquire enough cash ~ and fast ~ to make the bastards go away.
When a slew of bank robberies are reported to lawman Alberto Parker (Gil Birmingham) he decides that this might just be the perfect case for soon-to-retire fellow Texas Ranger Marcus Hamilton (Jeff Bridges) to take on as his last hurrah...
As Parker and Hamilton soon find ~ these aren’t your average bank-robbers ~ as they apparently have a liking for hitting just one kind of bank, and aren’t stealing exorbitant sums of money either…leaving our lawmen searching for more clues…as, none of this case is really making sense…
I give HELL OR HIGH WATER a rating of MUST SEE ON THE BIG SCREEN ~ From the intense and powerful storyline from Taylor Sheridan (He also wrote last year’s SICARIO) to the gritty, commanding and epic performances hitting the screen from Pine, Foster and Bridges, HELL OR HIGH WATER is one incredibly raw and penetrating depiction of what lengths a man will go to, to save what his families worked all their lives for. This film is by far the best action-packed, cowboyesque film I have seen in years, so whether you have a love for lawmen, the picturesque states of Texas or New Mexico, or you just have a longing for Chris Pine’s baby blues or Jeff Bridges gravely voice, doesn’t matter, you just need to head on out to a theater near you this weekend to catch HELL OF HIGH WATER, as catching it on TV later, just will not to this film justice!!!
Kathy Kaiser

WAR DOGS – Rated R
Starring Miles Teller, Jonah Hill and Bradley Cooper
Writer/Producer & Director Todd Phillips – the man who brought us such comedic films as OLD SCHOOL, DUE DATE and all the HANGOVER movies ~ decides to go TRUE STORY on us this time around, as we venture into the lives of 20 something US military arms dealers David Packouz and Efraim Diveroli – SAY WHAT? – This is WAR DOGS!!
Making his way through life as a massage therapist and bed sheet salesman, young entrepreneur David Packouz (Miles Teller) isn’t quite too happy, or content with where his life is headed thus far. When old pal Efraim Diveroli (Jonah Hill) comes back into David’s life, it seems that Efraim has got his life on a string, as he is dealing in government contracts, and making major bank in the process!
Happy to be a part of each other’s lives again, Packouz decides to partner with Diveroli in his new business ventures, as with a baby on the way, he needs to make some cash, and fast!
Learning the ropes of Government contracting and arms sales, Packouz is making his way to mega bucks, right along with Diveroli, on the shirt tales of our federal government, faster than you can say Iraqi War…
When our youngsters decide to go after an even larger military arms contract than they have previously, it seems that this large of a contract is realistically totally out of their reach…or is it???
Enter arms dealer and “terrorist watch list” businessman Henry Girard to help our boys secure THE BIG DEAL, as he has ways of circumventing lots of countries policies and procedures, allowing our boys to come in as the lowest bidder on these contracts by far.

As Pachouz heads overseas to secure the ammunition needed for this contract, Diveroli is back in the states, holding down the fort, and every prostitute he can hire too.
Feeling abandoned and discontent on how this whole deal is shaking out, Packouz decides that maybe he isn’t cut out for the world of government military contracting after all, as he tries to find a way out the crazy world of arms dealing, before its too late…
I give WAR DOGS a rating of MUST SEE ON THE BIG SCREEN – Knowing going in that this is a true story, was a little disheartening to begin with…I mean, how could two twenty-something guys manage to get government contracts to arm our military, and more than once mind you…but as you see the whole thing play out on screen, you become very quickly intrigued and definitely wanting to know more. Teller is FANTASTIC as the mild-mannered Packouz, wanting to make his way to financial freedom as fast as possible, in order to take care of his girlfriend, and beautiful baby girl …and Hill is absolutely SUPERB too, as the mastermind and douchebag Diveroli – as he plays good friend one minute and total a-hole the next with an ease and arrogance all his own. You will be utterly amazed at how easy it was for these guys to deal with our federal government – and to make big bucks in the process ~ off of us tax payers mind you ~ as their story unfolds. And know going in too, that this film doesn’t leave the best light on Bush and Cheney’s time in office either.so if they were your boys, you might want to sit this out, I’m just warning you. And the best part for me with WAR DOGS, was that this film takes so many twists and turns that you aren’t exposed to in the trailer, that it made me love the unexpected feeling of this film and the non-disclosed storyline even more, as sometimes you find that the unknown can be pretty gratifying, when its all said and done.
Kathy Kaiser

SAUSAGE PARTY - Rated R
Starring the voices of Seth Rogen, James Franco, Jonah Hill, Kristen Wiig, Selma Hayak, Bill Hader, Edward Norton and Paul Ruud
Written, directed and/or produced by some of the same dudes who brought us such comedic gems as SUPERBAD, PINEAPPLE EXPRESS, and THE NIGHT BEFORE, comes an animated film that is not only food based, but takes it’s blows at almost every religion, race or social stereotype in our society ~ This is SAUSAGE PARTY!!
Living out his days on a grocery store shelf, hoping to some day be chosen to venture outside to “the great beyond”, we meet Frank (voiced by Seth Rogen), a hotdog hoping to be united with his girlfriend ~ and shelf buddy ~ the voluptuous Bun Brenda (voiced by Kristen Wiig).
As Frank and Brenda long for the holiday that brings wieners and buns together (yes, that kind of innuendo) each and every year, their fellow foods go about their merry way too, hoping to be chosen to become a part of the big celebration…
When a jar of honey mustard is chosen, but then returned, he starts a panic of epic proportions when he reveals that the “the life beyond their respective shelves” isn’t all its cracked up to be.
When Frank, Brenda, and a few of the other food items hanging out in the store decide to venture across the store to find the isle containing Firewater (Bill Hader) - as he is the most knowledgeable product in the store, they find that what he knows may be just as, if not scarier, than what the honey mustard was spewing, before his demise…

I give SAUSAGE PARTY a rating of DON’T WASTE YOUR TIME OR MONEY ~ Yep, you saw that right…even though I love lots of the guys involved in this little R-Rated, animated food fest, once I got past about the first 15 minutes of this demented animated booty call – SAUSAGE PARTY just became a big ol mess of a film for me. Let’s face it, I’m not a prude or one of those politically correct chicks at every turn either, and the premise of the film sounded funny and amusing going in, but between the “stereotypical typecasting of it’s characters” to the all-out food orgy that ensues at the end, the disturbing offensive nature of this film was even more than I cared to absorb, as I had to sit through it to the bitter end. I’m thinking that Rogen, Hill and Goldberg, who penned this rather offensive take on the world of perishable and non-perishables foods items alike ~ need to stop smoking the mighty weed so much to get their creative juices flowing ~ as this film went way over the edge in it’s quest for comedy and dude humor, and ended up just coming across as a film about food products that had absolutely no taste, when it was all said and done. You may laugh at parts, as it’s funny a few times throughout, and you may enjoy all the sexual innuendos throughout its 89 minutes too, as at first they seem harmless and remotely appetizing, but, as this film goes deeper into it’s storyline of inappropriateness, I just wanted it, and it’s distasteful rhetoric to be over… long before it was through.
Kathy Kaiser

FLORENCE FOSTER JENKINS – Rated PG-13
Starring Meryl Streep and Hugh Grant
From Director Stephen Frears, the man who has brought to the big screen such classic tales as DANGEROUS LIASONS, THE QUEEN and PHILOMENA, comes a true-life tale of New York socialite, heiress and wanna–be opera singer, whose talent in singing, leaves much to be desired, this is FLORENCE FOSTER JENKINS!
As we meet NY socialite and heiress Florence Foster Jenkins (Meryl Streep), she is living her life amidst the world music in the 1940’s, evoking passion in others as well, as they all learn to enjoy the operatic music of the day.
Lucky for Florence, her husband St. Clair Bayfield (Hugh Grant) also values her love for music, as he fosters her desire to, maybe one day, become an operatic singer herself.
As Florence’s drive to become a highly renowned singer begins to consume every waking minute, St. Clair has no choice but to find his lovely wife an accompanist to assist her in performing, as they soon secure the services of one of New Yorks finest, Cosme McMoon (Simon Helberg).
With Florence working tirelessly to be the Best-that-she-can-be with the assistance of McMoon, and a voice coach too, St. Clair finds other ways to pass the time in her absence, even though his love and commitment to Florence never waivers.

When Florence decides that she is ready to perform, it takes all of St. Clair’s will and determination to produce a show ~ and audience ~ that will appease his wife’s ambitions, and talent, even though her singing is less than desirable, to say the least…
I give FLORENCE FOSTER JENKINS a rating between MUST SEE ON THE BIG SCREEN and WAIT AND CATCH IT ON DVD – Since there is nothing I love more than a fabulous biopic, I was very excited to see Meryl Streep on the big screen, playing the less-than-average singer Florence Foster Jenkins, envisioning that since I don’t particularly care for Streep’s singing, this role should be the perfect fit for her, and it truly was. Streep fits the bill perfectly as the aging Foster-Jenkins, striving for nothing more than perfection and acceptance from her fellow music lovers. Grant is perfection too as Florence’s husband and confidant, as this is some of the best work I have seen from him in many, many years. So why the less than stellar rating? Well, with the era of the 1940’s, I was hoping for the epic splendor of the era to come across and make this film bigger than life, but, instead, it felt rather like nothing more than a made for TV movie. And even with Streep and Grant giving note worthy performances, and BIG BANG THEORY’s Helberg hitting all the right notes too with his performance, I just went away feeling that this film could have been SO MUCH MORE, when it was all said and done. Maybe part of my issue is the fact that even when Streep is supposedly singing well, as how she hears herself singing in this film, it still sounds bad to me. I love Streep’s work, I really do, I just wish that she would move on to making films that show off her fabulous acting talents, and forget about the singing already…PLEASE!!!
Kathy Kaiser

ANTHROPOID – Rated R – MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS
Starring Cillian Murphy, Jamie Dornan, Anna Geislerová, and Charlotte Le Bon
From Writer and Director Sean Ellis comes the incredible real-life story of documented WWII Mission OPERATION ANTHROPOID ~ and it’s plan to remove the Nazi’s 3rd in command - SS General Reinhard Heydrich from this earth…THIS IS ANTRHOPOID!!!
As General Heydrich. a.k.a. “The Butcher of Prague” follows Hitler’s orders to continue his reign of terror in order to fully occupy Czechoslovakia during the 2nd World War, the Czech people are grasping at straws for a way to stop this invasion.
When Czech Soldier Josef Gabcik (Cillian Murphy) and Slovakian Soldier Jan Kubris (Jamie Dornan) parachute in behind enemy lines, little do they know that their contact that was to aid them in completion of their mission, has been killed.

Forced to blend in with the assistance of a secured host family - the Moravecs - Gabcik and Kubris do their best to gain information about the whereabouts of Gen. Heydrich, so they can complete their mission. As the days turn into weeks, Gabcik and Kubris begin to fall for their beautiful and trustworthy accomplices, Lena Fafkova (Anna Geislerová) and Marie Kovárníková (Charlotte LeBon).
When Gabrik and Kubris fail to execute their mission as planned, they are forced to seek refuge in a secure location, alas with additional soldiers, that they didn’t know were held up, till that moment …but now, as the German’s know of their plot, and their location too, these brave and courageous men are about to enter the battle of their lives…
I give ANTHROPOID a rating of MUST SEE ON THE BIG SCREEN ~ As historical films go, this one seems to be better than most in the accuracy of what went on during the dark hours these soldiers endured at the hands of the Nazi’s. It was also amazing that I became so enthralled in this storyline, and throughout the entire film, as I usually don’t prefer to view war films if I can avoid it. Murphy’s performance was exceptional, Le Bon and Geislerova’s were too, and Dornan literally blew me away with his incredible, Oscar worthy performance as Kubris, as apparently, given the right material, he can act way beyond what we have seen from him before. This film is so intense, so gritty, so emotionally draining, that I found myself wanting it end, yet wanting to see more from all these men, as they never gave in to the fate they knew lay before them.
Kathy Kaiser

SUICIDE SQUAD – Rated PG-13 ~ MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS
“This film brings a whole new meaning to “bat-shit crazy” from its first frame to its last!!! “
Starring Will Smith, Jared Leto, Margot Robbie, Viola Davis & Jai Courtney, Ben Affleck…and many, many more
From writer & director David Ayer, the man who wrote, produced or directed such action packed thrillers as FAST & FURIOUS, FURY, SABOTAGE and TRAINING DAY, comes the much anticipated Summer Blockbuster we’ve been waiting for – so get ready to venture deep into the world of DC Comics and it’s diabolical anti-heroes, as they team up to save our world with the hope of getting time off their sentences for good behavior… This is SUICIDE SQUAD!!!
US Intelligence officer and government ally Amanda Waller (Viola Davis) has put together a plan to save our planet from any threat, foreign or domestic, including being taken over by supernatural forces. Convincing our governments top officials to put her plan into action, Waller unleashes her team of anti-heroes led by Col. Rick Flag (Joel Kinnerman), and comprised of Dead shot (Will Smith), Killer Croc (Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje, Diablo (Jay Hernandez), Boomerang (Jai Courtney), Slipknot (Adam Beach) and lest we not forget, our favorite “Killer couple” Dr. Harleen Quinzel (Margot Robbie) and the Joker (Jared Leto).
When Waller embeds a device that can kill any of them at the push of a button, our bad guys ~ trying to be good ~ go after Dr. June Moone, a.k.a. The Enchantress (Cara Delevingne), as she and her little brother have plans for our universe, and it’s not looking good for anyone involved…

I give SUICIDE SQUAD a rating of MUST SEE ON THE BIG SCREEN!!! ~ After we got our first glimpse of this film back in July of 2015, at last years COMIC-CON, everyone has been patiently waiting to see Smith, Leto, Robbie and the gang show us what REAL VILLAINS are all about…and I think it was so worth the wait. Smith is on his game, Robbie too…as what woman doesn’t want to be the sexy Harley Quinn, with her “weapon of choice” from my favorite sport too. And everyone else cast, including Davis, Hernandez, Courtney, Akinnuoye-Agbaje, and Beach are fabulous as well. I even enjoyed seeing Kinnerman command all these crazies throughout the film. And the sound track this time around - WHOA...it's the best soundtrack in a film I've heard in years...it's even better than the soundtrack from GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY, and I didn't think any film was going to top that!!! The only let down for me personally, was the lack of Leto in action as the Joker, as his scenes are actually few and far between throughout the film. With all the hype about his performance, I was hoping he would have a more significant contribution this time around. But, even though his screen time is minimal, he still plays a wickedly menacing character that I hope will be given significantly more screen time in the sequel, to this incredibly fabulous film. My only suggestion before you head out the theaters this weekend is to catch SUICIDE SQUAD is to view BATMAN vs. SUPERMAN if you haven’t seen it yet, because if you do, you will know right where we are headed with Bruce Wayne, a.k.a. Batman (Ben Affleck), and his cameos for this one too…
Kathy Kaiser

NINE LIVES – Rated PG – 1 hr. and 27 min
Starring Kevin Spacey, Jennifer Garner, Robbie Amell and Mark Consuelos
From the talented Producer and Director who has brought us such classic comedic films as WILD, WILD WEST, MEN IN BLACK (all three) and GET SHORTY ~ Barry Sonnenfeld ~ comes a film about how important it is to be nice to those you love, or you may spend eternity as the family pet…this is NINE LIVES!
Caught up in running his billion-dollar company Firebrand, we meet business mogel and CEO Tom Brand (Kevin Spacey), who has been neglecting his wife Lara (Jennifer Garner) and daughter Rebecca (Malian Weissman).
When it looks like good ol’ dad is going to miss yet another birthday, he tries to save face, and goes to get the one thing Rebecca has asked for, for 2 years now, a cat.
When Brand ends up at the purrfect place to find the perfect cat for his daughter, he meets pet shop owner, and “cat whisperer” Felix Perkins (Christopher Walken), who sees a man out of touch with what’s really important in life. As Felix works his magic, as it seems Brand is now going to live out his days as a cat. That is, unless he can do whatever it takes to make things right with his whole family, including grown son David (Robbie Amell).

I give NINE LIVES a rating of wait and catch this film on NETFLIX or STREAMING ~ As much as I LOVE SPACEY, and have enjoyed some of Garner’s work over the years too…this film is less than purrfect, no matter how you spell it!!! From the Disney or Hallmark movie feel, to a storyline that seems just like a remake of THE SHAGGY DOG, and with not too much for the actors involved to work with either, I think there is definitely a reason why they didn’t show this one to the critics, and why I had to catch it at an early show release on a Thursday night, because as movies go for me, NINE LIVES is subpar to say the least, even if you are a cat lover, or love Kevin Spacey right with me, I wouldn’t drop $22.50 to see this one again with my daughter, even if you were paying it for me!!!
Kathy Kaiser

BAD MOMS – Rated R – 101 Min.
Starring Mila Kunis, Kristen Bell, Christina Applegate, Kathryn Hahn, Jada Pinkett-Smith and Annie Mumolo
From the writers who brought us such classic comedic films as THE HANGOVER SERIES (yes, they played a role in the development of ALL THREE), FOUR CHRISTMASES and THE CHANGE UP – Jon Lucas and Scott Moore – comes a hilarious film about what it really takes to be a mom in the 21st century – and how we all manage to judge not only ourselves, but every other mother around us as well…this is BAD MOMS!!
Lost in her world of trying to be the BEST MOM EVER – we meet working mom Amy (Mila Kunis) as she struggles through life trying to make her children’s and husband’s lives THE BEST THEY CAN BE!!!
When PTA President and all round busy body Gwedolyn (Christina Applegate) gets confronted by Amy, and in public no less, Gwendolyn is left with no alternative than to rally her troops – comprised of followers Stacy (Jada Pinkett-Smith) and Vicky (Annie Momulo) to take out this BAD MOM, before she affects the other mom’s who are unwillingly under Gwendolyn’s rule.
Liberated by the fact that she isn’t going to cower to this “all powerful ruler of the school” Amy acquires a few new friends and co-harts in her BAD MOM Brigade – Kiki (Kristen Bell) and Carla (Kathryn Hahn) - as they decide that being THE PERFECT MOM every day of their lives has become totally exhausting…and they just aren’t going to do it anymore…
I give BAD MOMS a rating of MUST SEE ON THE BIG SCREEN – Okay, let me be straight with you from the start – when I saw that two guys wrote and directed this movie about MOM’s – I was initially wondering “How lame is this really going to be”…but Lucas and Moore managed to write and direct a film that is not only HILARIOUS, but absolutely DEAD ON with the lives that we as mother’s live day after day. From the judgment of WORKING MOMS vs. STAY AT HOME MOMS, to the pressures of meeting all the expectations of “the other mothers” at our children’s schools, to the pressures we put on ourselves to create the perfect home, the perfect kids, the perfect perception for the outside world of how fabulous we are…there is absolutely some element of this film that ALL MOTHERS can totally relate to…and laugh along with too, as all of our lives play out on screen. And what flawless casting too – as Kunis, Hahn and Bell play out their roles impeccably as the “BAD MOMS”, and Applegate’s performance is sheer perfection too (even though I literally wanted to punch her in the face before she was through!!!) You will laugh hysterically, you might even shed a tear along the way, as this film is picture-perfect in telling the story of what we, as mother’s, put ourselves through each and every day. I also wanted to share that even though BAD MOMS is the perfect GIRLS NIGHT OUT FLICK for you and your entourage to enjoy ~ you don’t necessarily have to leave the guys at home ~ as the male critics who were with me to view the advanced screening, were laughing just as hard as I and my girlfriends were, throughout the whole entire film too. Suffice to say that BAD MOM’s is one film that everyone should catch this weekend at a theater near you and don’t forget to stay through the credits – as the ending is something you definitely don’t want to miss either!!!
Kathy Kaiser